Wow, this is fantastic. I've always loved the Thin Man movies and never realized what an interesting and involved person Ms. Loy was.

Thanks for this, I'm going to spend hours with it all.posted by padraigin at 12:48 PM on February 3, 2006

Fu Manchu and the Yellow Peril:

In 1790, the Naturalization Act explicitly stated Naturalization as a citizen was only possible for "free white persons" only. This did not necessarily exclude Asians, as many people considered the Asiatic races to fall into the 'white' category (at least, George Washington did). In 1870, the abolition of slavery prompted a change in the wording, and it was amended to include persons of African descent. It was also amended to specifically exclude persons from China. In 1882 the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed, banning not only Naturalization of peoples from China, but immigration as well. It allowed for some loopholes, which were quickly closed up with an 1884 amendment. Ironically, just a couple years later, the Statue of Liberty is unveiled in New York City.

Typical.

Freakin' great post. I knew Loy as "Nora," not as an activist. A lot of great reading here. Thanks!posted by brundlefly at 12:52 PM on February 3, 2006

Myrna Loy was hot, smart, kind, and had great politics.

She's hilarious in the Thin Man, and wonderful in The Best Years of our Lives.

Another wow -- always adored her in The Thin Man but didn't know a fraction of all this about her! Myrna Loy is my new girl-crush.posted by scody at 12:59 PM on February 3, 2006

Nora was is and always will be the yardstick by which I measure the women I encounter. fantastic post. flagged as such.posted by shmegegge at 1:00 PM on February 3, 2006

Very nice, well reaserched post.posted by Suparnova at 1:04 PM on February 3, 2006

Noice. She's always been one of my favorites; thanks for the links and information.posted by mimi at 1:13 PM on February 3, 2006

Beautiful post. I think I've run across all of these sites in my wandering but now I need only bookmark this thread.

She holds the #2 spot on my list of five even though it's an honorary thing. That I'm willing to give up a perfectly good spot on my list is how much I lust after Nora.posted by Fezboy! at 1:15 PM on February 3, 2006

What a great post! I re-watched The Thin Man a few weeks ago, and have Mr. Blandings waiting at home for me to watch this weekend, so this post comes at a great time. Thanks, matteo!posted by OmieWise at 1:16 PM on February 3, 2006

Thanks, matteo! I just finished sharing the Thin Man movies with my S.O. I'd forgotten about Mr. Blandings' Dream House, I'll put that on the list.
Like I always say, there's nothin' hotter than a dame with a nice set of politics.posted by Floydd at 1:42 PM on February 3, 2006

The book is great too, but then no Myrna Loi. She was a hottie.posted by caddis at 2:03 PM on February 3, 2006

I just attended the funeral of a woman who broke the "dress code" at her office around the end of World War II. She wore slacks and refused to be intimidated by the company brass.
Interestingly, she was born in Montana too,posted by Cranberry at 11:17 PM on February 3, 2006

Wonderful reading for the weekend. I had no idea she had so many facets! Thanks Matteoposted by Wilder at 5:20 AM on February 4, 2006

A remarkable life.
I know the name, I recall the face, but I can't reallllly remember any of the films - I'll have to keep a lookout. Great research/linkset thanks matteo.posted by peacay at 5:46 AM on February 4, 2006

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